Thursday, September 5, 2013

The Kingdom of Heaven "In" You - Part 1

I was up very early this morning, (about 4:45 a.m.) The windows were open to allow in the cool night breeze. I happened to look out an east-facing window, and there, over the mountains to the east, was Orion glowing in the beautiful night sky. His belt and sword were vivid, bright against the inky black pallet of space. Beetlejuice, the mammoth star that makes Orion's right shoulder, and which is said by scientists to already have gone super nova, showed brightly with more of a yellow hew than the rest of the stars in, and around Orion. Gazing heavenward for a moment, filled with the wonder that always accompanies the heavens and their splendor, I was reminded, "any man who hath seen any or the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power." (D&C 88: 47) Because, "their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heavens and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets. And they givelightto each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years—all these areoneyear with God, but not with man. The earthrollsupon her wings, and the sungiveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the powerof God." (D&C 88: 43-45) All of the cosmos is organized and operates "in the midst of the power of God."

The power of God is called "light" earlier in this same revelation: "The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the lawby which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things." (D&C 88: 13) Light, law, and the power of God, are all made equivalent in this revelation. This light, this law, this power, "proceedeth forth from the presence of God" to fill the entire immensity of space. (D&C 88: 12)

This light, this law, which is the power of God, is "in" all things. (D&C 88: 13) It is this power which gives life to all things. (Moses 6:61) This light is the power and the light of the sun. The sun was made by this power. As was the moon, the stars, and the earth. (D&C 88:7-10) There is nothing in all of existence that is not permeated by this light, this power, this law. "It" is "in" all things on the earth and in the heavens. All things are governed by it.

We ought to pay particular attention to the verity that this light, this law, this power, is "in" all things. (D&C 88:13) This very same verse teaches us that God, "sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, "who" is "in" the midst of all things." This revealed truth now moves things from a discussion about an "it," (light, law, power,) to a "who," we are now talking about a person. We learn that God Himself is "in" the midst of "all" things.

Here, then, is something we ought to deeply ponder that will allow the Holy Spirit of God to teach us much more. It will move us forward and higher in our understanding if we will accept what it teaches, and believe. If this light, this law, this power, is indeed "in" all things throughout heaven and earth as the scripture says, then, is it "in" you? More importantly, if God is "in" the midst of "all things," is He "in" the midst of you? What exactly does that mean?

We are told, "the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;" (D&C 88:11) Now, we have a scriptural connection drawn between this very same light, and law, and power, and you. Not only is there an apparent connection between you and this light, this law, this power, but we are told that it is through "him" that this happens. It would seem to make perfect sense, since (He) is in the midst of all things. And, of course, you are part of that which is referred to as, "all things."

What effect does this have on you? Think for a moment about this: You have this light, this law, this power, all "in" you. Does it have any effect at all on you? You are, after all, an independent person with agency and the ability to choose all kinds of stuff on your own. You are independent aren't you? If "all things" are "governed" by the light, the law, and the power that is "in" you, are you governed by it also? If this light and power are the same which give the sun it's power and its light, then why are you not consumed by it if it is "in" you?

Later in this same revelation, The Lord reveals: "Thelightshineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not; nevertheless, the day shall come when you shallcomprehendeven God, being quickened in him and by him. Then shall ye know that ye haveseenme, that I am, and that I am the truelightthat is in you, and that you are in me; otherwise ye could not abound." (D&C 88: 49-50)

There is much to know and learn about the light and the power of God which is in you. You must come to understand and know that God is not some far distant galactic being who must come millions of light years to be near you. His Son, who is the source (D&C 88: 5-7) of the light, the law, and the power for us said: "...thekingdomof Godiswithinyou." (Luke 17:21)

If you learned what was intended by the series of blogs just completed called "The" Will of the Father, the series we have just begun with this entry, should build on that understanding and deepen your knowledge of your relationship with God. By the time we are finished, your understanding of God, and your relationship with Him should open up by the power of His Holy Spirit to allow you to understand why it ought to be the most natural and the most desired thing in your life to receive the Son of God in this world. These things will work the best for you and will change you the most if you will take the time to look at the referenced scriptures and prayerfully consider their deeper meanings. The Holy Ghost can make their true, deeper, more mysterious meanings known to you. (JSH 1:74)